Take your Vacation in Costa Rica

First I want to share with you a short summary of why Costa Rica is a kid-friendly country.

• Located in Central America with great and many flight connections.
• The country has been declared one of the happiest countries in the world.
• And not only that, one of the most biodiverse countries in the world which can be discovered on very short distances due to the small size of the country.

Now, if we think on the true daily life. Families are very busy, days are shorter, families live with a lot of pressures and so connections are weaker. This is a very sad daily story of many people around the world; that is why we encourage families to take their vacations and make them the best experience ever. Each vacation, of every year should be sacred.

And what can we do to help families decide. Well, we can tell you why Costa Rica is the best kid-friendly destination:

1. In Costa Rica you will explore, learn, try new things, come to know
every thing about conservation and strengthen the connection with wildlife and nature.

2. Spark the curiosity by trying new costarican foods

3. You will be expose to new cultures and perspectives by being part of local traditions like the “cimarrona and mascarada”

4. Learn New Life Skills for example how to saddle, climb, ride a horse like the local costarican “Sabaneros” do.

5. Enhance the kids’ education during the whole visit with a private guide/driver/host/captain service

6. Promote Self-Discovery by leaving technology behind. When they have nothing more than nature their imagination start exploring. And don't forget the pictures. Let them take their own. Its a way your children see the world.

7. Meet new people is an important factor of the trip. It can be other travelers or locals. Just by the fact that you are in Costa Rica the family will be part of this human connection.

8. Unique worry-free safe destination. A country that has been stable and peaceful since 1948 with great health-care, education and No Army.

9. With the wide range of activities, ecosystems, experiences the whole family can encounter in Costa Rica Tons of Fun.

10. Kick back and Relax. The outstanding views, smells, sounds, textures, service and quality around the country will make it a multi-sensory experience. Just let it flow and be part of the “PURA VIDA” way of life.

This are 10 reasons why if you have a long weekend, a week, or more time to connect, bond and be with the family Costa Rica is the best fit for your upcoming Family Adventure.

Monteverde, cloud forest experience

As a multi-generation family we traveled from San Jose to Monteverde. The drive takes around 4 hours and it has a part of gravel road.

Upon arrival to Monteverde we head to Fonda Vela Hotel. Its a property with a lot of forest, great views, gardens, pool, jacuzzi and even a playroom with pool, ping pong and other games. By the way, it also has outstanding big rooms.

For the evening we had a unique experience. We did the Nocturnal Walk. And you know what?! If you turn off the lights, make silence and close your eyes, you will truly feel in another world. Its a natural experience every member of the family enjoyed.

The next day we did a full day at Sky Adventures Monteverde. Where the adults enjoyed the adrenaline at the Sky Trek.
The little ones and me. We took the Sky Tram. And as Emma said "we were flying in the clouds"


The next experience was the Tree Climbing. A new adventure perfect for teenagers and adults.

And after getting my body tired trying to climb a tree we head to the amazing hanging bridges. This is an accessible low impact activity for everyone.

The day did not end here. We had a tasteful dinner at the Tree House Restaurant where my little one danced with live music under a magical Higueron Tree.

Monteverde is all about adventures, open your senses, connect with nature and be part of the conservation of an amazing micro-climate named the Cloud Forest.

Tree House Restaurant Monteverde

Hotel near airport with a different atmosphere

Xandari Resort & Spa is located in Alajuela. The drive from Juan Santamaria International Airport to the hotel is only 20minutes.

We visited the property to see how Family Friendly it is and we encountered a colorful well-maintained 24 villa hotel with:

• 3 amazing poolsbeautiful gardens
• 3 miles of trails on a private reserve with 5 waterfalls
• you can decide on site to plant a tree or do a guided tour at the organic farm or a guided bird-watching walk along the trails
• and finally a restaurant with healthy Farm to Table meal options

This 5 characteristics plus its great location with amazing views of the Central Valley makes Xandari Resort and Spa a great starting or ending point for a  Family Adventure around the country.

Tapanti National Park

Costa Rica in 1970 created the network of national parks. This network is administered by SINAC since 1994. This government department is in charge of the maintenance, organization and strategic planning of all the protected areas of the territory. 
Right now the country has 28 national parks and various biological reserves. The most famous ones are: 

• Poas Volcano National Park
• Irazu Volcano National Park
• Tortuguero National Park
• Arenal Volcano National Park
• Manuel Antonio National Park
• Corcovado National Park
• Monteverde private reserves

Most of them are included on classic itineraries around the country. Most of them are family friendly. But we visited a unique off the beaten path National Park which we loved. As a multi-generation family we did a great one day tour from San Jose.

Very early we depart from San Jose towards Cartago. We visited the Irazu Volcano National Park to see the marvelous crater. Then we drove through the different agricultural fields towards Orosi Valley. Here is where we visited the new and amazing National Park called Tapanti. Here visitors have access to various trails which are catalogue on three difficulty levels. Walk around the park, see rainforest, wildlife, waterfalls and the amazing river of Orosi. 

Then we head to Ujarras Ruins and finished in the Basilica of Cartago.

An amazing cultural, natural, and historic journey for all ages.

Peace Park

Costa Rica is a very safe and democratic country. We are very proud of it. With no army since 1948.

Due to this important element the United Nations created in 1980 the University for Peace in our country.
The mission of the University for Peace is: “to provide humanity with an international institution of higher education for peace with the aim of promoting among all human beings the spirit of understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, to stimulate cooperation among peoples and to help lessen obstacles and threats to world peace and progress, in keeping with the noble aspirations proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations.

To support and help the cause we have designed a One Day Tour which includes the visit of the Park of the University grounds. This amazing institution has a very nice Park where you can do a guided walk on a Dry Forest.

And then we include a historical and cultural tour we call the Real Costa Rica which teaches everything about the famous Cimarrona and Mascarada Tradition. Lunch is a home made meal at a wood old fashion kitchen.
the United Nations.”

Let us show you the Real Costa Rica experience where real local TICOS, its traditions, food and forest teach you what is all about!!!!



Costa Rica for Multi Generations

 There is nothing like a travel adventure to glue generations together and make the family bond stronger.

Multi-generational family travel is a fast-growing trend, though not without its challenges. Families on a quest for a unique destination that is both fun and easy for all ages.

That is why we went to challenge Sarapiqui. With our one year old son and our 89 year old great grand father and mother. And we did it. We were able to combine the experience for all of us.

While the young adults had a blast on the canopy tour the younger children and older adults had a nap on the rainforest. Then we had a splendid lunch together with a river view. And finalize our family experience on a Safari River Float Tour.

Our great grandmother said = " This is one thing I had not done in my life. I am so happy. Its a check on the list."

And my 4 year old daughter said = " wow can we paddle some more!!!!"


This is how we check the countries services to guarantee our guests the best experience. We check them ourselves as family.

That is why we are Costa Rica Family Experts.

Let us help you with your upcoming multi-generational family vacation.

Costa Rica the 2017 destination for families

Today 1st of January 2017 we want to give all our readers, friends, colleagues... positive, happy and prosperous wishes for this year that starts.

Secondly we want to recommend you visit the wide variety of National Parks available in the country. From volcanoes, cloud forest, dry forest, mangrove, rainforest, jungles to amazing beaches and protected ocean areas.

A couple of weeks ago we visited Manuel Antonio National Park with the family. And we believe its a great location for families. This amazing park has tons of wildlife and amazing white sanded beaches with clear calm waters for the small ones.

During the guided walk you will learn and see Costa Rica's biodiversity. And when you arrive to the beach, just to lay-back and enjoy you will also be part of this amazing atmosphere full of energy.

But do be advice. Do not take any kind of food into the Park. Animals don't need human food. Let try together to find the balance. Thank you for helping us.

This area is also amazing because of the wide variety of types of accommodation and activities available.